The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Monday that it will accelerate reforms to address learning gaps and advance early and inclusive education, following the second joint meeting of the Education Trifocal Agencies.
Together with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DepEd agreed to establish Permanent Working Groups (PWGs) to focus on priority reforms over the next two years, ensuring “seamless learner transitions” from early childhood to higher education or technical training.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the government’s commitment to quality education in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directives.
“Malinaw ang ating direksiyon na palakasin ang pundasyon ng pagkatuto at siguraduhing walang mag-aaral ang naiiwan,” he said.
DepEd will lead three PWGs: Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Inclusive Education, and Functional Literacy and Learning Recovery.
“Dito, matitiyak natin na ang mga reporma ay tuloy-tuloy at may malinaw na pananagutan,” Angara added.
The ECCD group will enhance policy coherence in early childhood education, improve access to programs, and address malnutrition. The Inclusive Education group will strengthen inter-agency cooperation to expand access for learners with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and marginalized sectors, tackling poverty, language barriers, and limited support services.
Meanwhile, the Functional Literacy and Learning Recovery group will embed progression frameworks, align assessments with instruction, and integrate remediation into mainstream teaching.
Officials said the initiative reflects the government’s resolve to ensure no learner is left behind while advancing long-term education reforms.